<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM *
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
*The Financial Statements of Cost Plus, Inc. for the Nine Months Ended 
October 31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                             856
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     86,546
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                92,483
<PP&E>                                          99,670
<DEPRECIATION>                                  41,077
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 161,718
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,316
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            88
<OTHER-SE>                                      93,791
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   161,718
<SALES>                                        181,696
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               181,696
<CGS>                                          119,527
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  181,455
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 872
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (631)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (246)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (385)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (385)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.04)